James Sant,The Walker Sisters
A young intellectual becomes interested in a plain young lady neglected by her family.
Nothing seems to be known of Hope Stanford. This, the first of her two novels, though quite good, in my opinion—its heroine especially is refreshingly unusual in her plainness and ill-temper—was not very well received.
“There is a good deal that is thin and common-place in this novel, but also decided tokens of originality and dramatic instinct. . . . One or two of the characters on which the author has spent most pains are exceedingly well done.” Contemporary Review, July, 1884
“This is a pleasant, simply written story with which there is little fault to find. We think the writer has aimed somewhat too high, and that her characters are hardly sufficiently worked up. . . . Still the interest is well kept up. . . . Finally the writer possesses one merit dear to the heart of all critics. She knows what she wishes to say, and says it in clear simple language, pleasantly free from mannerisms and strainings after effect.” Scottish Review, October 1884
A contrasting view:
“There is practically no plot, and the incidents are neither happy nor well contrived. The situation selected for study is tolerably good” but “the three volumes demand more compression and conciseness.” Athenaeum, May 10, 1884
Download this week’s novel: